I'm gonna beat BossHog to the punch by doing this....but I just wanted y'all to see what a great job he did (and I know he's really busy so I took it upon myself to post this now). Sorry, BossHog.

﻿Bel Air, Md.: Hey Boss Hog!
Everybody keeps saying that Siant Gibbs may be out of touch with the
game. They seem to be overlooking that he has conitnued to follow the
game as a part-time owner. Even Joe Bugel stated that Gibbs was still
keeping up with the game. Do you think that this question (has the
game passed him by?) is as big a deal as it is being made out.

Mark Solway: On the contrary, I think what makes Joe Gibbs, Joe Gibbs,
is that he is always successful. He is extremely intelligent and it
was his cerebral nature that allowed him to be so successful the first
time around. More things to think about and take into consideration
will only further distance him from his peers. It may take a little
bit of adjustment time, but it won't take long for him to figure it
out -- all of it.
_______________________
Jake (Edgewater, Md.): Hey Mark,
Why did Joe Gibbs pick Gregg Williams over the other defensive
coordinators that were available? Was it partly because of the other
Bills assistants he brought along. Thanks for answering my question!
JOE IS BACK!

Mark Solway: I think he picked Gregg Williams because Mr. Gibbs
thought that he was the best co-ordinator available. Williams was
hugely successful when he was only the DC, he just didn't fare as well
as a head coach. I also think that Williams will want to try again one
day and will take like a sponge to water getting to learn from one of
the game's very best.
_______________________
Las Cruces, N.M.: Who do you think the Skins will take in the draft?
I'm guessing -- Vince Wilfork, Sean Taylor or Stephen Jackson ...
Nice Web site!

Mark Solway: Thanks.

I think that with months of free agency to follow, only time will
tell. I like Wilfork a lot, and Sean Taylor is a great safety. I think
the defensive line has to be a priority, but whether it is a FA with a
Jevon Kearse or through the draft makes no difference to me. Last
year's offseason by the FO was brilliant, but completely denied
conventionality, so it's really hard to predict.

I do think that if we go into the draft looking for a DT or DE that it
would be smart to drop slightly, maybe 3-5 positions, and pick up an
extra pick. I've seen suggestions of them dropping further, but I
think if they stay top 10 they can get a guaranteed #1 or #2 DE or DT
still, at a slightly lower cap number, and pick up a solid extra pick
from a team really looking to not miss on a player like Taylor.

We do an entire draft section at the website that we'll be opening in
about a week, so you can follow along everything there... top 10s,
mock drafts, exclusive articles and more. It's a great way to kill
some time in the offseason for us.
_______________________
Kingstowne, Va.: Any concern that Gibbs will end up like Bud Grant did
in his second stint with the Vikings? Remember, Grant coached the
Vikes to 4 Super Bowls between 1967 and 1982. He quit, citing burnout.
In 1983, Les Steckel took the Vikes to a 3-13 season. Grant returned
in 1985. The Vikings went 7-9, and Grant retired for good,
ignominiously. What's to prevent the same situation from playing out
in D.C? Thanks from a lifelong Skins fan.

Mark Solway: Bud Grant had a little more of a mean streak that was
effective with his players, but Gibbs was respected for many more
reasons. In July of 2003 I was fortunate enough to be invited to the
Ken Harvey Football Fan Classic by Mr. Harvey. I got to interview some
Redskin alumni like George Starke, Charles Mann, Darryl Grant, Mark
Moseley and Reggie Evans. When I would inevitably ask them about Joe
Gibbs, they all went out of their way to say how much he had affected
their lives, not just their football careers, as they looked back now.
They spoke with such reverement that it was truly inspiring. When
Darryl Grant told us about the infamous Cowboy canmouflage game and
how mad Gibbs got, he was like a son describing the experience with
his dad the first time he came home late for curfew.

While Grant was a great coach too, I think Gibbs was far more of a
fatherly figure to his players. IMO, that stigma alone will also
enable him to just pick up where he left off in a city as engulfed in
tradition as Washington is.
_______________________
Roanoke, Va.: Mark,
What do you expect the draft and free agent priorities to be in
examining the situation of the team as it stands?

Mark Solway: I think in order they are Defensive End, Defensive
Tackle, Running Back, Safety and then Tight End... though the last
three are almost interchangeable.

I have had a lot of feedback that fans think Gibbs arrival makes tight
end a bigger priority, but I think we are going to be looking for a
blocking tight end or two as much or more than a pass catching end.

Obviously if the defensive line has already been addressed come draft
day it will be a very difficult decision between someone like impact
player Sean Taylor or Va Tech's Kevin Jones. But an enviable decision
to get to make regardless.
_______________________
El Paso, Tex.: I'm really excited that Joe Gibbs is back with the
Redskins. With the success that Joe Gibbs enjoyed in Washington, why
is it that he is so obscure? I beleive he is a better coach than
Parcells and Vermeil, but they receive more accolades. Is it because
Gibbs stayed true to himself and didn't bounce from team to team like
Parcells and Vermeil?

Mark Solway: IMO, one word... humility.

He may be a little bit more obscure outside of D.C than the others but
I don't think any of those men that you mentioned are as revered in
any of the cities that they coached in as Gibbs is in Washington
either. But he certainly never was anything but unassuming, regardless
of his level of success and that kind of low brow demeanor just
doesn't get noticed as much.

If you look at the pandemonium that has been created in the last two
days, and the absolute euphoria, you wouldn't know he was obscure!!!!
And the whole NASCAR world knows how smart he is too.

There were so many, but I have never seen such domination. In a game
that started badly, I thought i had only blinked twice and we had
buried the game before half time. I choose that as a favorite Gibbs'
moment because I don't think there is a finer example of just how
great a coach he was/is. i still have to pinch myself when I say or
type that.

It's too easy to answer Riggo's run, but it's also pretty hard not to.
It personified everything I love about football... and the smashmouth,
ball control nature that Joe Gibbs made famous.
_______________________
Darlington, S.C.: Mark,
Do you think the defense will play a lot better under Gibbs or will he
have to make an example out of someone to get them to play better?

Mark Solway: I think everyone will play better. I'm not trying to
insult Steve Spurrier, I just think that Joe Gibbs will have more
control over this team than Spurrier ever did.

I am not saying that is any fault of Spurrier's either, just a
statement on how special Gibbs is to everything and everyone to do
with the Washington organization. We are talking about a legend.

Gregg Williams is also a much more experienced DC than George Edwards
and it will show in the schemes, the confidence, and the subsequent
level of success.

There are also personnel issues that need to be addressed in the
offseason to facilitate a better showing in 2004 as well. We have to
find a pass rush.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Are the Skins picking up Owens from the 49-ers?

Mark Solway: I don't think he's Gibbs' kind of player, and I don't
think there is any need for receivers in Washinton.

The only WR transaction that I think is important for the Redskins FO
to deal with is re-signing McCants. But I think Gibbs will really like
him, and will bering him back. He's big, he's tough, he makes the hard
catches in the middle and he's the best red zone receiver we had last
year.

I think we're solid with Laveranues Coles, Darnerien McCants, Rod
Gardner and Taylor Jacobs. I expect Scott Cloman to push hard for a
spot again this year at camp as well.
_______________________
Falls Church, Va.: I have long said that the relationship between the
city of Washington and its football team is unlike anything else in
American sport. Right or wrong, the second coming of Gibbs appears to
have been received with a level of joy I have never seen in a city
before. Do you think at least some of the reason Gibbs is returning is
because he understands this intense relationship between the city and
its football team and like the rest of us, ached over what the
Redskins have become over the last decade?

Mark Solway: Completely.

I think that success for the Washington Redskins will always be a part
of Joe Gibbs make-up.

I think that's why the confidence and euphoria is so high -- Joe won't
rest until the streets of Washington flow with Burgundy and gold proud
tradition again.
_______________________
New Carrollton, Md.: I am truly excited! My husband and I have
constantly told our sons about how great of a coach Joe Gibbs was and
now they will get to see him in action themselves! I have been a
Redskins' fan for many years and I have to say that I can't remember
being so excited! We finally got ourselves a real coach again!

Mark Solway: It's fantastic that another generation of Redskin fans
will get to experience arguably the greatest football coach of all
time.

Even Cowboy fans on our message board have stated that this was good
for football, not just the Redskins.
_______________________
Fort Worth, Tex.: So where is training camp going to be held this
year? Will Gibbs go back to Frostburg?

Mark Solway: we actually started talking about this today.

It'd be really nice to see it moved back to Carlisle... there just
isn't a more quaint way to spend a week or two vacation than in close
quarters with your Redskins team and friends.

I think that Camp is an unbeilievable experience anywhere, and I would
strongly urge everyone to try and make it down. thehogs.net will be
down there for the majority of camp with a bunch of our friends and
screaming praises at our players... it's a tough way to spend a day
watching football practice in the sun.
_______________________
Old Fort, N.C.: Mark, do you believe Russ Grimm is ready to be an
offensive coordinator in the NFL, and will Mr. Gibbs persue Him?
Thanks.

Mark Solway: I think there is a good chance of Russ Grimm returning to
the Redskins in some capacity, just because of the reverie that all of
his players feel for Gibbbs as i stated before.

I don't know if it should be as an OC, but I do know that his presence
will always welcome to a hog lover such as myself. In any capacity.
The Hogs are the ispiration for our website... it would be another
happy day.
_______________________
Delware : Joe Gibbs is a godsend for the Redskins, but let's hope that
Mr. Snyder can stay out of his way ...

Mark Solway: I think the fact that Mr. Gibbs was also designated team
president tells you that mr. Snyder is ready to let Joe do his thing.

Now he will get to concentrate on the things that he's great at as
well like marketing, and schmoozing players.

There are some amazing days ahead for this franchise.

I don't know how long I will get to answer questions for, but I wanted
to just thank the Post for even giving theHogs.net the opportunity to
do this chat in case my time runs out. It is a great honor and I am
very thankful for the experience.
_______________________
Hinesville, Ga.: Thanks Mark, Our prayers have been finally answered.
Now will Champ Bailey stay, will the Skins sign Mark Brunell and Corey
Dillon? A glorious day. Hail!

Mark Solway: On Champ - I think that's up to Champ. It's a lot of cap
to give up and since he will inevitably be 'franchised', it will also
be very hard to ignore first round draft picks if anyone is interested
in paying the required compensation.

Mark Brunell - I definitely can't see coming in here.. more for cap
reasons than anything else. The Redskins are sitting with about 9
million available cap dollars, but they'll need it for the draft and
to address the offensive line.

Corey Dillon - great player, great skill, wrong attitude for this
situation IMO. There are no I in team on Joe's team. He's also about a
$7 million cap figure next year I believe.
_______________________
Tysons, Va.: This is an odd question.
All my brother wants for his February birthday now is an autographed
pic of Gibbs. I told him that it would be easier to get Super Bowl
tickets.
Any suggestions of who to go through?

Mark Solway: Go to camp, hang out for a week and wait for your
opportunity. It will undoubtedly happen if you go on Fan Appreciation
Day as they sit at a table for an hour and just sign autographs. i
know it'll be the first table that i'm lining up for.

If you can get me a super bowl ticket that easily, just let me know.
_______________________
Columbia, Md.: Forgive me Joe for I have sinned. It has been 12 years
since my last confession.
In that time I have forgotten what victory tastes like. I have been
seduced by flashy dreams of vertical offenses, by the glitz of high-
priced free agents, by the arm of a Shuler, a Banks, and even
(whimper) Jeff George. I have forgotten that coaching is impossible
and yet simple. I have strayed into the fields of task-masters and old
ball coaches only to return to your feet humbly asking for your
salvation.
The apostles (Jacoby, Monk, Walton, Clark, Warren, Lachey, etc. ...)
all speak of your incredible grace and subtle motivation. I long to
feel that again. The city of Washington, your wayward son, has
actually returned to you and not the other way around. We have all
repented and are ready to march toward the promise land with you at
the front.
Sunday is again holy in the heart of our beloved nation and may the
infidels from New York, Philadelphia and Dallas fear the battle we
will wage!
Humbly yours,

Mark Solway: The NFC East is back.

With Parcells, Coughlin and Reid to contend with... the rivalries are
all going to return to glory and the division will once again rise to
former heights.

There's going to be a lot of black and blue division games next
year... what could be more exciting than that?
_______________________
Crofton, Md.: hi Mark
Great site and great chat. Thanks.
Is there any way to recapture the old magic of RFK? I know FedEx will
never rock like the old stadium but do you think that this will
energize the fans enough to become a place like RFK, a place that
opposing teams hated to come to?

Mark Solway: Fed Ex has never seen the level of ssuccess that RFK did,
and success has a funny way of intensifying things.

There will only ever be one RFK and Fed Ex could probably never
bounce, but we will be cramming nearly 90,000 Redskins faithful into a
stadium to watch playoff football in no time and I think that we will
be going back down the road to intimidating teams with our fan base
very soon.
_______________________
Warner, N.H. 03278: Why can't out-of-state Redskin fans hear "Sonny,
Sam, and Frank" do the game broadcasts over the Internet?

Mark Solway: Infinity broadcast has the rights and they do not stream
any of their content. I believe I heard rumor of that perhaps changing
(infinity having the rights), but I'm afraid I don't know any of the
details. If you drop me a line at Bosshog@thehogs.net I can find out
for you and get back to you.
_______________________
Harrisonburg, Va.: There are two names that leap out at me on the free
agent market -- Corey Dillion and Jevon Kerse ... do you think the
Skins would be inclined to make a hard push for them with the cap room
and a glaring need at safety and TE?

Mark Solway: Kearse is hard to not at least look at. I think pass rush
is our greatest need, and he is a good fit.

He's also going to get a lot of money.

But I think john Abrahams would be great too, and I think pass rush
should trump anything else. There are some good pass rushers in the
draft, but no absolute studs. Will Smith and Marcus Spears might be
good choices if we moved down to below # 10 in the draft. Although
pass rushers have a tendency to look a lot sexier on draft day which
may push them up the board.
_______________________
Columbus, Ohio: Hi Mark, I'm a huge fan of the skins, and am looking
forward to seeing Gibbs coach for the first time in my adult life! One
question, do you think Darrell Green will be offered some position
with the orginization? If there is one person who defines the Redskins
more that Joe Gibbs, it is Green, and I would love to see him
involved, even just as a face for the orginization!

Mark Solway: I don't think anyone personifies the Redskins like Joe
Gibbs myself... look at this reaction. Not even DG himself could
create this much stir.

I think Mr. Green has enough on with his various projects and
charities and has little desire to return to Redskin football in an
official capacity at the present time. But who knows... it seems
everyone else wants to!
_______________________
Venting Hog (Newark, Del.): Mark:
One of the most frustrating things for fans (and players) is the
influx of opposing teams' fan watching the game in D.C., cheering for
the opposing team. All you hear are their chants instead of "Hail to
the Redskins!"
Do you think this will end in the Gibbs era, with season ticket
holders once again keeping their tickets and proudly attending the
games instead of giving them up to Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles fans?

Mark Solway: Season ticket holders haven't had much success to go
along with their season ticket bills lately.

That's all going to change.

I'm sure the waiting list added more names in the last 48 hours than
in all of the 2003 season.

I sure hope so... it's really tough seeing all those foreign colors at
home. Folks, i implore you, if you do have to sell your tickets, make
sure they go to Redskin fans. there's always a frothing mad fan
floating around theHogs.net that's probably interested in taking them
off your hands.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Hey Head Hog,
When are Washingtonians going to give Snyder the credit he deserves
instead of ragging on the guy every time something goes wrong? I know
at least 10 other franchises in the NFL that would love to have as
active and concerned an owner as Mr. Snyder is.
Plus, if you were given the ability to OWN the team of your dreams,
wouldn't most people meddle a lot as well?

Mark Solway: when you have a franchise as proud as the Redskins, i
guess nothing less than the ultimate success is acceptable.

Mr. Snyder has made some mistakes along the way, but has always made
them for the right reasons... he just wants to win. Giving control to
someone like joe Gibbs is proof positive that he now understands the
importance of concentrating on what he's good at and leaving the
football to one of it's greatest minds.

The partnership has the potential to be devastating.
_______________________
DE: Hey Boss, DEHog here.
There's been much talk about the relationship of Dan Snyder and his
past coaches. How do you see the Gibbs/Snyder relationship playing
out?

Mark Solway: I think even Dan Snyder grew up adoring Joe Gibbs... and
you can't say that about any of the others.

That alone will change the whole dynamic IMO. As I said, I think
Snyder will now set about proving just how good he is at what he's
good at, leave the football to joe, and I can't see how that
relatinship can be anything but harmonious as long as it is allowed to
exist.
_______________________
Greenville, N.C.: I too am excited as everyone else about Saint Joe
returning. But, in all the confusion and emotion not a lot has
surfaced on Gregg Williams yet. He too is a wonderful aquisition as
defensive coordinator. How soon do you expect the defense to turn
things around?

Mark Solway: With the correct personnel moves in the offaseason --
very quickly. I think that we saw far too much zone coverage last year
and we have to allow our LBs to play closer to the line and react.

If we can get some pass rush, there's no reason to believe that we
can't almost imediately return to a top 5-10 defense like Marvin Lewis
accomplished (with some of the same pieces of the puzzle).
_______________________
Springfield, Va.: Hey there,
Now that we have the coaching fixed, let's turn our attention to game
day antics of FedEx Field. Is there any way we can get the announcer
to not glorify a tackle after at 12 yard run, the same music pumped up
way to loud too to stimulate fan excitement. I think we'll be able to
generate that one the field and not fake it with DMX being played over
and over again. And I'll pay money to never see the funky bunch do the
same exact dance for the 4th year in a row.

Mark Solway: I think as success mounts, the football will become the
focus at Fed Ex.

They can't ever let the Funky bunch change their dance... come on!
It's as Redskin as the Hogettes, Hogs and Hail to the Redskins are.
maybe we'll all be happier doing the dance if we're winning.
_______________________
Kennesaw, Ga.: An observation: Organizationally, it sounds like Gibbs
will have with the Redskins a role most like Mike Sherman has with the
Packers. Sherman is nominally coach and GM, but in practice he
delegates most of the GM stuff during the season to Mark Hatley and
Reggie McKenzie. Also Sherman is very Gibbs-like as far as work habits
are concerned.
Also, you should know that a lot of people here in the Atlanta area
are murmuring about how Falcons owner Arthur Blank may really have
blown it by not pursuing Gibbs after Dan Reeves was fired. Gibbs owns
a piece of the Falcons, and Blank knew before almost anyone else that
Gibbs wanted to coach again -- weeks before Spurrier left.

Mark Solway: I've had discussions with Redskin fans about Atlanta
too... it is a testament to the schmoozing ability of Dan Snyder that
the Falcons, who could have used a coach, didn't get to pull off such
a colossal happening.

If you doubt Mr. Snyder's ability to bring in pretty much anyone he
wants, surely this should at least have you questioning your logic.
This is the single biggest explosion I've ever seen for a coach in
sports... let alone in football.

And in one fell swoop, Mr. Snyder restored faith, restored
respectability, and left us all licking our chops for the start of the
2004 season.
_______________________

Mark Solway: Well folks. My time is up. I just wanted to thank
everyone who participated and once again thank the Washington post,
specifically Mr. Fisch, for allowing me to do this. It has been a
thrill, and I look forward to seeing you all over at theHogs.net. We
have a lot of exciting things planned for the offseason, and we hope
that you will pop by the boards and say hello any time. We're always
there to talk football and talk Redskins.

Thanks.

Mark Solway
Bosshog

Fran Farren
"Justice Hog"

Newark, DE

6th person to join the "new THN message boards"

Section 341, Row 8, Seats #15 & #16

"Justice that love gives is a surrender, justice that law gives is a punishment."
-Mohandas Gandhi

Thanks buddy... I just got offline and just about collapsed. I'm sure the fact that i'm no type must have been obvious

I just wanted to thank those of you who stopped by and supported me before I went and sat more than 12 inches from my computer screen for an hour.

I apologize to any of you who's questions I didn't get to, but they just kept coming!!!! I barely had time to even read who was sending them, and all I got to see was a list of questions and not what was going on live.

I hope I managed to summate what your guys feelings were as I think that is what the Post was looking for... the pulse of the fans.

Outstanding job Boss...Sit back and take this in for a while. I've heard it said, and beleive when you're a part of history, you don't have as much of a appreciation for it. Today my friend you were a part of history...when you look back on this your gonna shake you head and say man I was there, I was a part of it!!!

"Sean Taylor is hands down the best athlete I've ever coached it's not even close" Gregg Williams 2005 Mini-Camp

Bosshog- great job today. I thought your answers and insights were courageous and meaningful. You definitely spoke from the heart and mirrored my sentiments exactly. Anyone who was breathing during the eighties and early nineties knows the terror Joe Gibbs strikes in the hearts of opponents. While Dallas fans may be heralding the second coming of Gibbs as "great for football", Bill Parcells is going to start losing sleep tonight and is less than thrilled that his job description just got harder with no raise involved. Andy Reid was probably nauseated when hearing the news. Gibbs just made the offical drink of the NFC East Pepto Bismal.

Philly is an Armpit wrote:Yep. Watch the news conference in 10 minutes. I hope Parcells and Reid have TVs in their bathrooms, because they're going to spend the next sixty minutes with their heads in the toilet.

Nicely said, and welcome to the site, I swear to God when I woke up this morning at 6:00 am, I ran to the computer and made sure I wasn't dreaming, I know before I went to bed last night, I put the trash out, and started hearing the word NO !!!! Screaming threw the streets , it must have been Cowpuke, and Eagle Fans screaming, I went to bed with visions of superbowls dancing threw my head !!!!
Marc

Awesome. This is exactly what we want those good for nothings feeling right now going into the playoffs. Sure the Eagles thumped us good this season, but they haven't got squat on a Gibbs offensive scheme.